http://www.techpowerup.com/index.php?5127 Bares a lot of resemblance to the GeForce 6 (apart from it being red). I understand that the cooler is not thin in parts like the R480 cooler - it's dual slot all the way down. I wonder how long it is - looks about as long as a 7800 GTX from the picture of the back. Hmmm... The memory layout looks an interesting one too there's a 3 - 1 - 3 - 1 grouping in a horseshoe format compared to NVIDIA's 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 layout on GeForce 6/7.
I think it's the simple problem of getting all the components onto the smallest PCB possible really. Maybe they're just getting lazy nowadays. It certainly looks like a monster card anyway, let's hope it gives the 7800's a run for its money. Maybe it'll keep up with the 8800's when that gets here.
I get the impression that ATI might be using an 8x32-bit memory interface rather than a 4x64-bit interface. This could well improve memory bandwidth efficiency. There's been talk of a new memory controller, so the memory layout could be a clue that they're not pairing DRAMs in to four 64-bit interfaces.
What's with the step-down memory interface, bigz? 512 on the chip, 256 to the external? Why not all the same?
Oh goodie, another cooler mounting hole pattern. Let watercoolers rejoyce. Wait... R520 XT Crossfire Ed only has 256MB of ram where a normal R520 XT has 512? Maybe ATi should lay off the crack a bit, or at least stop dying it red to make them feel special. And not Dual-DVI all around? Are they trying to put themselves out of business? I'll wait for benches, but even if this pulls ahead of the 7-series by a good margin (I doubt it TBH), nVidia will counter with something even better, and not paper-launch it to boot. ATI really can't afford another with nVidia having them a) the first day and b) in real quantities. I'm still waiting for Crossfire to materialize since it's reveal, what, four months ago? SLi even was there as soon as the mobos were. Not only did nVidia not paper-launch both of the 7-series to date, they basically doubled the performance at their top two price points. And within a week I was seeing both GT and GTX priced well under MSRP (if the GTX is still MSRP $599, it's like $125 under!)
Thats what you get when you go for a high speed part; lots and lots of waste heat-especially with that darned 90nm process. From what I have heard, R520 will beat the 7800 GTX, at least the Platinum Editions will; however, Nvidia has no need to counter , as part availablility will be akin to the launch of the X800 series.
Well, it's 256-bit double data rate... could just be marketing. If it's not that then I'm not quite sure. As far as I know, it 'leaks' 69W compared to the X850 XT PE's 62W. That explains the full-sized dual slot cooler.
IIRC the reason why the crossfire master is 256mb is that the composting engine (or whatever they called it) requires a frame buffer. The cards 256mb, but the rest is used by the engine. Probably wrong but meh! Supposdly ATI's offering will beat the GTX, but as roto said, Nvidia have the advantage of availabiltiy, something ATI wont be able to compete with. ATI have the sucessor (R580) taped out and test samples working supposdly, which is good news
They're not likely to force that out this year though, otherwise they'll be hurting customers who waited for R520.
More... http://www.hkepc.com/hwdb/r520firstlook-e.htm That's not the official cooler though, the cooler in the first pictures is what they are using AFAIK.
It wouldn't be a high volume part either, but I don't strictly believe the story that was written on the inquirer re: 7800 Ultra
Hey, thanks, you guys helped me identify a card someone was showing off. over at sudhain.com, a member was selling a card for a crazy high price, aside from ram arrangement, and lack of a theatre chip, I swear its the same. Check it out for yourself http://forums.sudhian.com/messageview.aspx?catid=48&threadid=81562&enterthread=y
Back of the card looks kinda weird in the bottom left and top right as well in various other spots. Why?
Errr.... What's that large black chip on the left - Compositing chip for Crossfire maybe? (Or is it just a rage theater chip?)
